1997 & 2000 Dow's Vintage Port

“Warm and inviting, with a worn leather feel to the mix of dried anise, espresso, bittersweet cocoa, steeped fig and mulled currant notes, which move seamlessly together through the buckwheat-edged finish. There's plenty here to like now, but this has ample energy for additional development. *Top 100 Wine of 2000* (JM)” (02/2017)

“Mouthfilling and round, without any sharp edges, but this wine remains extremely firm and dense, with several decades of life ahead of it. Dried fig, chocolate and black licorice flavors only hint at what lies ahead.” (03/2008)

“Good full ruby. Lightly floral aromas of blackcurrant, maple syrup, mocha, espresso and fresh herbs. Lush and medium-sweet, with very good intensity, bright acidity and a deep, tight core of fruit. Subtle and juicy rather than unctuous or powerful, and impeccably balanced. Long, youthfully aggressive finish features a note of dark chocolate and sneaky persistence. (ST) 92+” (06/2000)

“Shows the intense ripeness of the vintage with hints of raisins and other dried fruits. Full-bodied, medium sweet and so very velvety. A big mouthful. Superb. Just starting to open.” (01/2017)

“Heavily led by Touriga Franca and Touriga Nacional, Dow’s vintage Port wines are blended from two of owner Symington’s preferred vineyards: Quinta do Bomfim and Quinta da Senhora da Ribeira. The wines are noted for their drier styles with Dow’s pushing the fermentation longer than standard practice. This was aged in old oak casks for 18 months before bottling. RM Still youthful in appearance; lovely fragrant, floral aromas, underlying intensity and depth. Fresh, firm, ripe minty-berry fruit with tight-knit tannins and a long, well-defined finish. SJ Rich, beguiling nose dominated by plummy concentration and chocolate truffles. The full-bodied and dense palate supported by quite high acidity and a good tannic bite. Satisfying indeed. DW Compact and dense, with emerging juicy and persistent black fruit, and spice, liquorice and hints of leather. Tannic refreshment and freshness keep the whole wine in balance. (Panel Tasting)” (12/2022)

“An impressively concentrated wine, showing the hallmark Dow’s dry edge, but still full of ripe fruit, flavors of black plums and berries. It has weight and spice, but also a delicious perfume, layered through a smooth, opulent texture. (RV)” (10/2009)

“An opaque blue/purple color (typical of this vintage's top offerings) is followed by a strikingly provocative aromatic display (flowers, licorice, blackberries, and cassis). This firmly-structured, classic, tightly-knit, restrained port exhibits brilliant purity as well as impressive intensity. While not the most dramatic or flamboyant, it is a beautiful, classically structured port that will age gracefully. (RP)” (10/2002)

“This is on point now, with a mix of cassis, cherry paste and warmed fig fruit that has some youthful energy even as it has melded with bramble, licorice snap and Black Forest cake notes. There's a solid finishing kick of fruit and grip. (JM)” (07/2021)

“Saturated bright ruby. Primary, backward aromas of cassis, redcurrant, licorice, minerals, bitter chocolate and spices. Penetrating, structured and powerful. Not hugely sweet but boasts superb flavor definition and impressive extract. A very unevolved port that's best today on the expanding finish, which features notes of cassis, violet, dark chocolate and peaty earth and terrific grip and thrust. (ST) 93+” (01/2003)

“Deep crimson still and a beautifully round, ripe expression of Douro fruit but, when contrasted with Dow's 1977 alongside at the JancisRobinson.com Christmas dinner, it looked rather callow and unformed. When we finished the decanter many days later with Stichelton, it was a delight. Context is all. 17.5/+/20 points (JR)” (12/2022)